Died On This Date (April 29, 2012) Jim McCrary / Rock Photographer

Jim McCrary
August 31, 1939 – April 29, 2012

© Jim McCrary / From jimmccrary.com

Jim McCrary was an award-winning photographer whose portfolio includes some of the most iconic rock album covers in history.  Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, McCrary was mostly self-taught by the time he enrolled in a college photography program.  In 1967, McCrary was hired by A&M Records where he was their chief photographer.  Over the next seven years, he took photographs that ended up on the covers of over 300 albums, many of which are some of the famous in rock history.  They include Carole King’s Tapestry, the Carpenters’ Now and Then, and Joe Cocker‘s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, to name just a few.  The list of other artists he captured lasting images of  includes Gram Parsons, Cat Stevens, Lee Michaels, Styx, and Billy Preston.  In 1974, McCrary opened his own studio in Hollywood where he worked for the better part of the next 20 years.  That was followed by a photography supply store.  Jim McCrary was 72 when he died of complications from a chronic nervous system disorder on April 29, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

Died On This Date (July 16, 1996) John Panozzo / Drummer For Styx

John Panozzo
September 20, 1948 – July 16, 1996

John Panozzo at far left

John Panozzo and his fraternal twin brother Chuck were founding members of iconic ’70s rock band, Styx. With Chuck on bass and John behind the drums, they were the musical backbone of the band that went on to record many of classic rock’s most beloved songs. Unfortunately like so many rock musicians of the era, drug and alcohol abuse began to wreak havoc on John’s liver resulting in cirrhosis forcing him into early retirement. The effects lead to his eventual death of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging at the age of 47.

What You Should Own

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The Grand Illusion - Styx

Died On This Date (June 16, 1983) Buzz Shearman / Moxy

Douglas “Buzz” Shearman
March 8, 1951 – June 16, 1983

Buzz Shearman at left

Buzz Shearman was the lead singer of popular Canadian hard rock band, Moxy.  Forming in 1974, the band released their self-titled debut the following year.  It became a quick hit thanks in part to guest guitar play by Tommy Bolin and the strength of its first single, “Can’t You See I’m A Star.”  The new-found airplay helped the band land more and more tour dates throughout Canada as well as the US, where they shared the stage with AC/DC, and eventually Black Sabbath, Styx, Rainbow, the Runaways, and Boston.  In 1977, Shearman left the band due, in part, to trouble he was having with his vocal chords.  He was replased by Mike Reno, who would later front Loverboy.   Shearman returned to Moxy in 1979, and when Bon Scott of AC/DC died in 1980, he was strongly considered for the job that ultimately went to Brian Johnson.  On June 16, 1983, Buzz Shearman was killed in a motorcycle accident.

What You Should Own

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Moxy - Moxy

 

Died On This Date (September 7, 2009) Kyle Woodring / Session Drummer

Kyle Woodring
February 7, 1967 – September 7, 2009

kyleKyle Woodring was a concert and studio drummer who has been playing since he was four years old.   In the late ’80s, Woodring began drumming for Survivor, playing on their 1988 hit, “Didn’t Know It Was Love.”  In later years, he played or toured with John Mellencamp, Deana Carter and for one-time Styx lead singer, Dennis DeYoung.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.